Ugh. Snapping and growling when moved

13864 Views 18 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Mikey T, 2 mo ago

committedsalmon

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2015

Seriously. This is a new issue and not one I'm ok with.

I've noticed Max doing this with the kids, but I figured it was that they were picking him up too much and he just wanted them to stop. But the snappiness is getting worse.

Today he fell asleep in my room, and since he's not allowed in here (husband wants a dog free zone and I don't blame him), I woke him up gently and tried to get him to come. When he didn't, I tried moving him and he growled and snapped. I figured maybe he was still in a sleep stupor, so I waited a couple of seconds and tried again and he did it again. It was three times before I could get him to just get up and follow and then put him in his den.

I know he doesn't like to be picked up unless it's his idea, but he's never been like that with me. Plus, I don't think we should have to never touch him when we want him to move. This is our house, and while we try our best to be considerate, I don't tolerate that kind of behavior from kids, and I'm not going to from a dog.

I am thankful he's never actually landed a hard bite. When I'm not startled by his snap, I try to put my hand in the way and his mouth is always soft. For this I generally say "Max!" And clap my hands loud. Then he goes to his den. Is this a dangerous behavior?

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MomosMum

· #2 · Sep 18, 2015

committedsalmon said:
Seriously. This is a new issue and not one I'm ok with.

I've noticed Max doing this with the kids, but I figured it was that they were picking him up too much and he just wanted them to stop. But the snappiness is getting worse.

Today he fell asleep in my room, and since he's not allowed in here (husband wants a dog free zone and I don't blame him), I woke him up gently and tried to get him to come. When he didn't, I tried moving him and he growled and snapped. I figured maybe he was still in a sleep stupor, so I waited a couple of seconds and tried again and he did it again. It was three times before I could get him to just get up and follow and then put him in his den.

I know he doesn't like to be picked up unless it's his idea, but he's never been like that with me. Plus, I don't think we should have to never touch him when we want him to move. This is our house, and while we try our best to be considerate, I don't tolerate that kind of behavior from kids, and I'm not going to from a dog.

I am thankful he's never actually landed a hard bite. When I'm not startled by his snap, I try to put my hand in the way and his mouth is always soft. For this I generally say "Max!" And clap my hands loud. Then he goes to his den. Is this a dangerous behavior?

Of course it's potentially dangerous but just know, NEVER try to move a Basset who reacts like this! BRIBE. This breed is a Pack breed and much as mine wouldn't react like this (they know better!) if you get one, more often a male, who does, you don't push it. He will regard things, and places as 'his' as he would have had to in a pack situation. And YOU have become is pack, so be aware.

Instead of picking up (if you still can!), pulling or pushing, you AVOID/PREVENT the situations that might result in this first, and you TRADE/BRIBE - in this situation, make what's on the ground off the bed WAY BETTER. No more picking up - have a slip lead which you can drop over his head if 'force' is necessary.

With Bassets, you totally avoid 'confrontations'. Again with the applied psychology - make what you want, his 'idea'.

Just to add I had this situation, just once, with our first Basset who, due to my ignorance, managed to get on top of a crate I had our bitch, in season, in. The crate wasn't the strongest, and apart from needing him off there, I feared it was going to collapse with her in it. I reached to pull him off and he bit me. Phoned hubby who came back from work immediately (he was able to in the job he had at the time) and took him off to kennels where he spent the rest of the time she was in season.

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Mikey T

· #3 · Sep 18, 2015

This is our house ... I don't tolerate that kind of behavior from kids, and I'm not going to from a dog.

Maybe it time to Reconsider the advice you first got on the site

he's not allowed in here (husband wants a dog free zone and I don't blame him)

Obviously did not research the enough on the right breed for your family or you have discovered early on that basset needs to be with others absent another dog that is you. Asking it to sleep alone is going to be traumatic. It is one thing not to be on your bed another to be alone in a different room

Is this a dangerous behavior?

Snapping ? no if the dog meant to do harm it would do so! Getting physical with the dog everytime you want him to do something? Most definitely. The dog is going to escalate the defensive behavior which can and will including biting to prevent it. As you would do if you had a boss that every time it wanted you to do something grabbed you by the collar and pulled you around instead of asking or training you what to do.

step one collar grab game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P-Zo4qBD8I

5 Steps to Train Your Dog to ?Go to Place? | Karen Pryor Clicker Training

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHAKyd3hJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNNNy8iuwEs

The Dog Trainer : Teach Your Dog to "Go to Bed" :: Quick and Dirty Tips ?

and more basic

Connection & Control | Suzanne Clothier

Dances With Dogs | Suzanne Clothier

Dog is in the Details | Suzanne Clothier

How Much Does Your Dog's Cooperation Weigh? | Suzanne Clothier

It Takes a Pack to Raise a Puppy | Suzanne Clothier

Vectisvagrant

· #4 · Sep 18, 2015

Mikey T said:
Maybe it time to Reconsider the advice you first got on the site
Obviously did not research the enough on the right breed for your family or you have discovered early on that basset needs to be with others absent another dog that is you. Asking it to sleep alone is going to be traumatic. It is one thing not to be on your bed another to be alone in a different room
Snapping ? no if the dog meant to do harm it would do so! Getting physical with the dog everytime you want him to do something? Most definitely. The dog is going to escalate the defensive behavior which can and will including biting to prevent it. As you would do if you had a boss that every time it wanted you to do something grabbed you by the collar and pulled you around instead of asking or training you what to do.]

So agree.
Think in responding to one of your first posts suggested that pups & young children are not a good mix (even for those with experience they are hard work, a full time commitment) & your posts since have only confirmed it. Can I ask why with your commitments you choose this time to bring a pup into your house, they too are babies, they do not come with innate manners, understanding & an I.Q greater than their owners. He's not a toy, didn't ask to join your family you chose him & with ownership comes responsibility to train, care, feed & keep from harm.

Mikey T

· #5 · Sep 18, 2015

https://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm/product/1363/crate-games-for-self-control--motivation-dvd.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRs5cWOWfiM

Crate Games, it is not just for breakfast anymore. | Susan Garrett's Dog Training Blog

Crate Games and the Question of Value | Susan Garrett's Dog Training Blog

committedsalmon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 18, 2015

To answer the question as to why we chose to bring a puppy into the house right now: our kids have wanted a dog for 8 years now. Back when our oldest was 9, we knew it would not be a good fit, so we held them off a long time. Now our youngest is almost 5, we thought that bringing in a dog to love and grow up with would be a good thing.

As to the implication that we leave him alone--we have seven kids. This poor dog is never alone, even when he would probably rather be. There is lots of activity, love, and playfulness going on here.

We've never done even the first thing untoward with this dog. He doesn't get hit, doesn't get treated roughly, and we don't grab him by the collar. All I ask in return is that he not act like he's going to try to take our hands off when we try to get him to do something other than what he is doing at the moment.

I make no bones about the fact that my family comes first. The dog is a sweet animal and we all love him, but he doesn't hold the same value to me as a human being--especially not one from my own loins. I'm not going to have him trying to hurt anyone (even though he hasn't), and I don't think that's too much to ask, especially since he's treated so well.

All I really wanted to know is if this behavior from him is dangerous, or if he's just being difficult. He has never hurt anyone, and so I'm inclined to think he won't and is just making a bunch of noise. But he's not in control, so he doesn't get to make the rules.

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3kbasset

· #7 · Sep 19, 2015 (Edited)

agree with mikeyt, franksmum and vv.

When I have to get one of mine of the sofa, I have kibble in my hand and give them a few pieces as I gently lead/lift them to the floor. If not, they will "grump-growl" because getting off the sofa isn't better than staying on the sofa.

this breed of dog is so very different than any other I've had (even other hounds). I would tell my beagles to "get down" and they would. Won't work with the basset. I must offer them something they like better. It really is quite easy; a few bits of kibble ...they're completely compliant. They want to be 'paid' for everything they do

and yes, bassets don't get to make the rules but we need to understand them and tailor our approach and handling accordingly. It's not letting them 'rule' us, rather us understanding them.

MomosMum

· #8 · Sep 19, 2015

committedsalmon said:
All I really wanted to know is if this behavior from him is dangerous, or if he's just being difficult. He has never hurt anyone, and so I'm inclined to think he won't and is just making a bunch of noise. But he's not in control, so he doesn't get to make the rules.

Just to reiterate, this present situation isn't necessarily 'dangerous', but if he gets away with it too often, it might be and if the Basset gets confused and backed into a corner over something he can't deal with, he could bite. A puppy should never be pushed that hard that it does go to 'fear biting' - to protect himself.

Again this 'he's not (shouldn't be) in control' situation/not making the rules, is for me, about applied psychology (again). The hound needs to think that what you want, is his idea. How you achieve that is up to you. Just don't expect too much of the hound - think always about his original purpose WITHIN A PACK.

The ideal relationship between hound (Basset specifically) and owner should be one of mutual respect, and understanding what makes them tick. Over time, with your individual hound, you'll get to understand what that means and how it works best, for him. Some male Bassets will be more confrontational than others - but if you are too harsh with some male Bassets particularly, they'll 'collapse'. I've had some males I found being too firm with demolished them. Which is not what you want.

Bassets are not like any other breed - fact! And projecting from that, their owners are slightly odd too

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Charlie13

· #9 · Sep 19, 2015

Charlie can be a grump if he is told to move from the sofa. I use cocktail sausages to get him down, he would sell his soul for a sausage! I don't know if this is a lazy option but it works for us. He gets down easily and with no growling. The end result is we are both happy!

committedsalmon

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 19, 2015

Ok, I can employ treats more often. I'm not a treaty kind of owner, I guess. He gets lots of praise. Do you guys walk around with treats all the time?

I guess the impression is that I am harsh with him, when I haven't been. The harshest thing That ever happens to Max is that he gets his name called firmly.

I did do research on this breed, btw. For about a year. But this is what one gets: "the Basset Hound loves people, can have back problems, and can be stubborn". Not "the Basset Hound will try to trip you as you walk, stairs are death, and you have to walk around smelling like smoked salmon if you want him to do anything for you". There is a real difference between what one reads for research on the breed and what it is in practice.

We still love him to pieces, and do not regret waiting for him. I considered Beagles and Labs. Both more trainable, but seemingly inexhaustible and hyper. I didn't want that, so I got a Basset.

murraysmom

· #11 · Sep 19, 2015

committedsalmon said:
"the basset hound will try to trip you as you walk, stairs are death, and you have to walk around smelling like smoked salmon if you want him to do anything for you".

lol!!!!!

3kbasset

· #12 · Sep 19, 2015

committedsalmon said:
Do you guys walk around with treats all the time? .

yes. often end up in the wash.....

committedsalmon

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 19, 2015

Ok. Lol. Well.....guess I'll buy stock in Wellness dog treats.

Vectisvagrant

· #14 · Sep 19, 2015

3kbasset said:
yes. often end up in the wash.....

I'm glad I'm not the only one LOL, even in dressing gown pockets

.

Mikey T

· #15 · Sep 20, 2015

if you train the dog properly one does not need to carry treats for compliance.

Food Rewards in Dog Training

MomosMum

· #16 · Sep 20, 2015

committedsalmon said:
Ok, I can employ treats more often. I'm not a treaty kind of owner, I guess. He gets lots of praise. Do you guys walk around with treats all the time?

There is a real difference between what one reads for research on the breed and what it is in practice.

.

Yes to the treats, WITHIN REASON - you don't want to make your Basset FAT! And no, I don't walk around with treats all the time - when showing yes and if actually training, early on, but otherwise not. It can get too expensive to be handing out treats all the time

The difference between the written word and reality just goes to show you can't/souldn't 'generalise'. What works for some hounds, may not with another. Classic for this is how some (males) need firmer handling than others - all too often if I'd been too hard on my boys, I'd have demolished them. Hiding to nothing.

committedsalmon

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 20, 2015

Thanks for all your input. It helps me put my thoughts in order with all this.

jkenowski

· #18 · 2 mo ago

committedsalmon said:
To answer the question as to why we chose to bring a puppy into the house right now: our kids have wanted a dog for 8 years now. Back when our oldest was 9, we knew it would not be a good fit, so we held them off a long time. Now our youngest is almost 5, we thought that bringing in a dog to love and grow up with would be a good thing. As to the implication that we leave him alone--we have seven kids. This poor dog is never alone, even when he would probably rather be. There is lots of activity, love, and playfulness going on here. We've never done even the first thing untoward with this dog. He doesn't get hit, doesn't get treated roughly, and we don't grab him by the collar. All I ask in return is that he not act like he's going to try to take our hands off when we try to get him to do something other than what he is doing at the moment. I make no bones about the fact that my family comes first. The dog is a sweet animal and we all love him, but he doesn't hold the same value to me as a human being--especially not one from my own loins. I'm not going to have him trying to hurt anyone (even though he hasn't), and I don't think that's too much to ask, especially since he's treated so well. All I really wanted to know is if this behavior from him is dangerous, or if he's just being difficult. He has never hurt anyone, and so I'm inclined to think he won't and is just making a bunch of noise. But he's not in control, so he doesn't get to make the rules.

I have a almost 4 month old male Basset that growls and snap’s every time he doesn’t like something, this includes petting him if he’s not in the mood, or he cries to be picked up and once you pick him up he growls and snaps at you for moving him or petting him, I’ve owned many breeds and never had this issue before

Mikey T

· #19 · 2 mo ago

jkenowski said:
I have a almost 4 month old male Basset that growls and snap’s every time he doesn’t like something, this includes petting him if he’s not in the mood, or he cries to be picked up and once you pick him up he growls and snaps at you for moving him or petting him, I’ve owned many breeds and never had this issue before

make sure there is not a health issue first

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